Bobby Ryle Evans' Obituary
Bobby Ryle Evans, 77, of Longview passed away from a lengthy illness on August 4, 2018. His loving wife Carolyn was at his side. He spent the last days of his life surrounded by her, his children, grand-children and great grand-children.
Bobby was born in Comanche County on March 17, 1941 to Clayte and Mamie Evans. He was the youngest of 11 Children. There were stories that his mother would pick cotton while pulling him on the cotton sack. He also spent many hours in the watermelon patch working alongside his father and siblings. To this day, he could always pick the best watermelons to bring to any family event.
Bobby graduated from Comanche High School where he played football.
He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Anderson on July 3, 1959. They recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. They had 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. People that knew them would say they were the sweetest couple. Spending time with family was their favorite pastime and they loved being at the beach surrounded by the saltwater. His family would say that his favorite place was out in the Gulf of Mexico catching red snapper. Papa and Meme, as they were known to their grandchildren, could also be found attending sporting events for their kids, where they were their biggest fans. He might have been asked to leave a few of those games because he was very passionate about his opinion when he didn’t always agree with the call and his kids could do no wrong.
Bobby was an avid supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous Program. He celebrated 29 years of sobriety this past December 22. He was able to impact many lives during those years. Many people say that they owe their lives to him for his help and support fighting this disease.
Bobby started his career driving a truck in Comanche, Texas before moving his family to Odessa in 1963. He was truly a self-made man working from the ground up. To spend more time with his family, he swept the floor of a local shop while learning to be a machinist. Bobby and Carolyn moved to Longview in 1973 where he worked for Leamco Pumping Unit Service Company as a shop foreman. Soon after moving to Longview, he opened up his own pumping unit service business. In 1981, together with his son Bobby G. Evans and son in law, John Paul Cates, they opened up Pumpjack Masters with locations in White Oak, Odessa and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was a true family business where he was also able to work with daughter Gala and daughter in law Vicki. In 1999, Pumpjack Masters was acquired by Weatherford International, where Bobby worked until his retirement in June of 2010. During his career in the pumping unit service business, he impacted many people’s lives and helped develop the industry to where it is today. His legacy of working hard and the love of the oil patch was passed on to his son, son in law and grandsons. He was very proud of his only granddaughter, Summer Cates, who has served in the Unites States Navy for 18 years. Bobby and Carolyn are members of First Baptist Church, Longview.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Clayte and Mamie Evans, 9 sisters and brothers and 1 grandchild Zachary Ryle Evans.
Bobby is survived by his wife Carolyn of Longview, daughter and son in law, Gala and John Paul Cates of Longview, son and daughter in law Bobby and Vicki Evans of Katy, grandchildren Summer, Chad and Chase Cates, Logan, Trevor and Spencer Evans, one sister Mary Lois Gilliam of Comanche, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Bobby had a profound impact on the lives of everyone who knew him, and while we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the legacy his family and friends will carry on for countless generations.
The family would like to thank Dr. Rama Koya and staff, the many nurses at Longview Oncology Center and Longview Regional Hospital, especially those that cared for him during his final time.
The family will have a visitation at Rader Funeral Home pf Longview on Monday, August 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Services will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 7, at 2:00 p.m.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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